Reflecting

     It seems as though Tyson and I have been doing a lot of reflecting on where we have been and what all has happened this last year. We have had a lot of life changes, and began a lot of new journeys. A year ago we were leaving San Antonio and moving to Muleshoe. We were leaving our first home, many friends, and a life of familiarity.   We were also saying goodbye to 3 years of hard work, long hours, time apart, valued time, fantastic education, and finally medical training. I am speaking of residency. When Tyson and I look back, we look back at all the sacrifices, difficult days, weeks, months, and even that first year.  Medical school was difficult, but residency was a greater challenge. We made it through it even stronger than when we went into it. I am so proud of Tyson and the Dr. that he has become. I can't go anywhere in this small town without someone approaching me and telling me how much they love my husband. I beam with pride, because all together he has worked 10 long years to finally do what it is that he loves.
     In a year a lot has happened, wonderful beautiful graces from God. We are here in Muleshoe with a great surrounding community and lots of friends. We welcomed our sweet little Reesey Cup into this world in November, and Rylan is now a big 3 year old. My sister lived with us for 7 months while her husband was deployed, we became members in a new church, we have traveled, but mostly we have adjusted to God's plan. I am excited to think about what God's plan is for us next.
     I am not for sure how I came across this blog but I am so glad that I did. This touched Tyson and I both in a very deep, real way. This woman described residency and the feelings that we both had while going through it. I couldn't have said it any better than this...................................

http://www.attemptingaloha.com/2012/01/its-been-rough-week-doctors-wife-poem.html?m=1

     Always remember those days so that you can reflect on where you have been, and what it has made you.

A New Planter

     Pintrest has got me hooked on redoing everything I can get my hands on (children permitting). I love to see old things get new life. I also have not finished decorating our house yet. I know, I know, we have been here a year already, but it is coming together slowly. Anyway, on to the title of this blog, a new planter. Well my Momma had gotten Rylan a train set at a garage sale. The set came in this really cute, old type of wooden box. Well as soon as I saw the box, I knew I was going to do something with it, and the train set could find a new home. The box was mine. I wanted to use it as a planter, and I originally thought I was going to put it outside. After I painted it, however, I came up with a new idea for it. Still going to be a planter just not outside, it was going in "the lodge" (our back room) to hold one of the many house plants I have.

This was the box before........

Another look at it. I decided to paint it white, mainly because I am really into painting everything white right now. I am into that shabby chic, Potterybarn look these days. So white is what I went with.  When I was done painting, I knew I wanted to add something to it; it needed something else.  A look that is really in (for some reason) is writing numbers on things. Like No. 3, No. 7 and so on. So I decided I would go with that also. I chose to do No. 4, because there are four of us in our family. So I free handed the No. 4 on the front in black. This is the final project.....................

I love it! Easy, cheap, simple, and it adds a little character to our once bare fireplace.

Don't you love the little birdhouse off to the side? A Rylan project. It was supposed to go outside. That is until I realized that I let him paint it with washable paints, oops.

A new planter that cost me nothing.

Ruidoso

     It is so nice to have a mountain getaway so close. Last weekend (last minute) we loaded up and headed to Ruidoso, NM. It is only three hours away, so the kids don't get too restless in the car. Our sweet neighbors have been offering their place to us for a while now, and we finally decided to take them up on their offer. Their house is so perfect; nice, homey, awesome deck, gorgeous view, great location and right on the golf course. Once we got there, we "checked in" and then went to see my cousin and her kiddos out at the stables that they run. It was so nice to see them, as we don't get to see them nearly enough. The best part was watching our children play together; it reminded me so much of when she and I were young playing together. Rylan got to see a ton of horses, which he loved! We had recently watched the fabulous movie Secretariat (I highly recommend watching it if you haven't), so horses in general are a big hit with Rylan right now. Not to mention part of our motivation to go to Ruidoso (the races). We decided to take all five of our children out to eat for the evening. Dinner went really great with all the kids, considering it took the restaurant an hour and half to deliver our food.  After that we loaded up and headed back to the house to enjoy some smore's and a beautiful evening.

   

All the cousins: Rylan, Levi, Victoria holding Reesey, and Lizzie.

My cousin's sweet babies.

Rylan loved getting to see the horses, and Reese kept reaching for them too.

The next morning we woke up early (as is the norm for us Purdy's), Tyson made breakfast and then the boys headed off to the golf course. So, we girls got ready and headed into town to do some shopping. It was a great morning for all of us. When the boys finished, we went and picked them up for lunch. After that we headed out to the race tracks.

The races were great! Rylan was very into them this year. He chose the blue horse every time to win. We spent all afternoon there. The weather was beautiful, the kids were good, and Mommy and Daddy got to do something that was fun for them too. All and all it was a fantastic day. After the races we went to an early dinner, and left early also. Rylan didn't really have the best eating out experience, so we scarfed our food and headed back to the house. We made smores again and hung out on the patio enjoying the fresh mountain air.

Rylan loved being able to be so close to the horses and the racing. We were down in the cheap seats and they were perfect for us and our energetic little man.

Our little Reesey Cup enjoying the races.

Rylan liked to run up to watch all the horses come by before the final bets were to be placed.

Little Momma kicking back and just chilling while everyone was yelling during a race.

 The next morning we got up, had breakfast, cleaned house, and just hung out for a while. When we got in the car to head home the babes were melting down. But they were both asleep before we left the city limits, and they slept all the way home, which was so nice because Tyson and I had time to actually sit and talk to one another. An eventful weekend that we are already looking forward to doing again very soon!

Rylan helping us "gacum" as he calls it.

This was our boy conked out on the way home. It takes a lot to get this sweet boy to slow down, but I guess a busy weekend will do that to him. Maybe we should plan this as an every weekend thing, LOL.

  

4th of July

     We stayed in town this year for the fourth, enjoying all of our small town's  festivities with family and friends. We started the morning off at the Parade (Nana & Papaw joined us), did some local shopping, Rylan rode a pony, ate lunch, and around noon we headed home for some down time. Tyson went and played golf with Bruce in the Muleshoe Scramble. The babes and I swam and napped. When Tyson got home, we loaded up and headed to the park to meet friends for a cookout and fireworks. The cookout was a success, but then a dust storm caused us all to load up our babes and get out of the nasty weather. A few couples came back to our house with us to continue hanging out. We figured, due to the weather, that the fireworks would be cancelled, but at about 10:00 we started hearing them go off. We all went outside, stood in the middle of the street, and watched the show. I am sure watching four couples, each adult with a kid in hand, standing in the middle of the street, was quite a site. I wish I would have run and gotten the camera. I hope you all had an eventful and blessed fourth of July!

Tia and Uncle Eric got the kids shirts for the holiday. Our babies wore them proudly. Rylan's said "Today you are enjoying your freedom because my Uncle is fighting for it."

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Reese's shirt said "Have you thanked my Uncle today?"

Uncle Eric thank you for your service and sacrifice for us; we are proud of you, and we love you!

Tia also ordered Reesey these bloomers. I love them, and we will probably wear them again

Our "Little Firecracker" and her Daddy.

Mommy and her babes

Rylan sitting with Nana and Papaw watching the parade.

Rylan and his friend Will taking a break from football to pose for me.

Notice Rylan is in a new shirt. My kids were divas and wore two outfits that day. I had already bought them 4th clothes when Tia brought us the ones they bought. So we wore Tia and Uncle Eric's outfits in the morning and Mommy's in the evening. I forgot to get one of Reesey in her evening wear.

Will, Rylan, Tierni, and Emma all yelling "Happy 4th of July".

Rylan jumping up and down waiting for his Daddy to hand off his sparklers. These and the smoke bombs were a big hit with the kiddos.



Busy Busy

This last month has gone by way too fast. I can't believe that it is already July. I am a summer loving girl. Yes, it is hot. But, I love to be in my shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. So as long as this weather is hot me and my crew will be outside soaking up the rays. This blog is going to described in pictures. I will update you all on our busy busy June!

Uncle Eric and Tia came home for two weeks for Uncle Eric's leave. We loved having both of them here to play with us. It was so sweet to see Uncle Eric meet Reesey for the first time. I had to put her in her little outfit that her uncle got her.

Rylan reading to Uncle Eric. These two immediately picked up where they left off. Uncle Eric is the best, both of our babies love him so much.

We had a welcome home party for Uncle Eric. There was family there from Kyra and Eric's side. It was nice to be able to celebrate our Marines sacrifice for our country, and his safe return home.

Tia and Uncle Eric brought Rylan's birthday gift home with them. Tia couldn't stand not being here for his birthday so she had him open them with her and Uncle Eric. They got him a set of roller blades with all the pads. Once all gussied up in his gear they headed out to try them out. It lasted about 30 seconds and then he wanted to play with the Mator lawnmower they got him. Thank you both, y'all made our little mans day.

Tyson and I had the opportunity to participate in Relay for Life this year. It was so awesome and touching to see the difference that a small town can make. Our little town of Muleshoe raised close to $50,000.

Tia and Uncle Eric came to support the Relay and play with their two favorite kiddos!

A play date with Brooke and Brynlie. Sidewalk paint turned into shower time because these three ended up painting themselves to look like Shrek.

Our sweet little Reesey Cup turned 7 months. It seems like her first year is going by way faster than Rylan's. This smiles lights up our day all day long.

Rylan & Reese with their great Daddy on Fathers Day. My babes and I are so blessed to have Tyson as the center of our family's foundation.

I took the kiddos in for their checkups. I thought what a photo opportunity that I had to capture.

Reesey & Rylan both got seen by Papaw. It really is so cute to watch them get their checkups from their Papaw!

Rylan entered the superhero phase, and we just had to make a cape. Thank you pintrest, for those easy directions.

Our new pool, this thing is getting put to use everyday, Rylan loves it!

Our Reese Lynn is sitting up and playing, but not for long because she prefers to be on the move. I love it when I can get a picture of my sweet babes together.

This girl is into everything. Just yesterday morning this is where I found her. With her moving this much maybe now I will loose this baby weight..........